Frequently Asked

Questions

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The following are some basic questions that people often ask when they want more information about the Alaskan Klee Kai. If you do not find the answers to your own question here, please feel free to contact us by e-mail AFTER you have studied this entire web site and completed our questionnaire and returned it for our review. We appreciate your attention and study of the Web Site. We talk to so very many people about these dogs and must conserve as much time as possible. Many of the questions you may be asking have probably already been asked by someone else and answered in detail. The answers to the questions are provided by us and also courtesy of Mrs. Eileen Gregory who has been involved with the breed nearly two decades. We encourage you to interview various different breeders and owners before you make your decision as to where you wish to go for information and possibly for an Alaskan Klee Kai of your own. Eileen Gregory was associated with the Alaskan Klee Kai since before they were made available to the public, and the information you find here is also from her own personal experiences with the dogs, as well as from what owners have asked us. It is our hope that you will better understand the Alaskan Klee Kai breed as a whole after carefully reading and understanding this section of the web site - but do keep in mind that every dog is an individual and not a duplicate of any other animal. FAQ #1 Q. How big do these dogs get? A. Check out the Link to BREED STANDARDS link and you will find the heights for the three varieties. This is a rather new breed, and we do still have some "throw-backs" that will go over sized, and those dogs are not allowed in the Breeding Pool nor in the Show Ring. Weights are not addressed in the Breed Standards, as an animal’s weight can fluctuate. Toys usually weigh up to ABOUT 10 pounds. Miniatures are usually from about 10 to 15 pounds, and Standard sizes usually are fromabout 15 to 22 pounds. ---------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------- FAQ #2 Q. How do I get on your Waiting List and how much do you require for adeposit? A. We have both a WAITING LIST and also a GENERAL CONTACT LIST: WAITING LIST:  We receive nearly 400 new contacts per month about this wonderful breed.  It is almost a full-time job just keeping up with the correspondence. In order to work with those who are serious about moving forward, we developed our Waiting List and it is these folks who receive FIRST NOTICE of new puppies and quick responses to their questions.  The actual Waiting List can be as few as 2 or 3peopleor as many as 15 to 18.  Our waiting list grows and shrinks every few months. We can tell you that we will not produce litters just to fill awaiting list, and there is absolutely no way that we can tell you how long YOU will wait for your "dream" puppy. (Please do not ask us,because we will not be pinned down to even a vague statement in that department).  We also suggest you interview other breeders.Our goal is to get the right puppy in the right arms. To be placed on our Waiting List you must first fill out our Questionnaire.The second step is to send in your $200 Application Fee (this in not a "deposit'). This fee is not refundable, but it enables you to receive FIRST NOTICE of new litters and to choose before the announcement goes out to our (very large) General Contact List. It is also applied to any puppy you purchase from us in the future. Please let us know if you are interested in being placed on the Waiting List and we will send payment options to you. GENERAL CONTACT LIST: We also maintain a General Contact List of everyone who contacts us about a puppy.  Since we are one of the earlier breeders of the Alaskan Klee Kai, it is a VERY large list (about 1800 people). Everyone on our General Contact List receives SECOND NOTICE of new litters after those on our Waiting List have had time to decide and respond.  They also receive a free copy of the TEXT version of our book and receive our semi-Monthly Newsletter. DEPOSIT: When you have selected a puppy or dog, a $500 Deposit will be required (note: if the puppy is already older than 5 weeks the total balance will be required).  If you have been on our Waiting List and previously sent in $200, that amount will be shown as a credit on your contract (since it is credited to any puppy you purchase from us). All contracts imply or contain a non-refundable $500 deposit-even in those situations where the total due is paid in one payment.  Final payment date is stated on all contracts. ---------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------- FAQ #3 Q. What forms of payment(s) do you accept?? A. To get on our Waiting list we offer many payment options for the Application Fee: US Postal Money Orders, cash or Cashier's Checks can be sent by mail (always track your shipment/mailing).  We also accept Bank Wires (we can send instructions) or Bank Transfers (if you have an account at either Bank Of America or our other bank - we can send instructions).  We also accept transfers through PopMoney and Zelle (these are secure and very inexpensive).  We do NOT accept PayPal.  The final payment for your puppy must be by Bank Wire, Bank Transfer or a Bank Cashier's check.  These are the only methods we will accept for final puppy payments. ---------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------- FAQ #4 Q.What sizes do you have? A. We actually have litters with all three sizes: TOY, MINIATURE and STANDARD. ---------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------- FAQ #5 Q. Do you have any puppies available now or soon? A. We may or may not have puppies at this time, but the people on our waiting list are eligible to make their choices before new people on the waiting list would be able to choose. Obtaining an Alaskan Klee Kai is different from most other breeds as they are so rare and most of the breeders are so loyal and dedicated to following the Rules that have been established by Linda S. Spurlin, Breed Developer, and accepted by the Alaskan Klee Kai Association of America. One of the Rules is that every adult dog will be examined and deemed to carry none of the disqualifications that are listed in the Breed Standards, and thus can be declared Breeding Quality.  The Breeders who have faithfully followed this requirement have helped maintain the quality of the breed, which has resulted in the breed remaining quite rare. So,you should also determine if you can live under the Rules of the United Kennel Club which holds the Registry for the Alaskan Klee Kai.Hopefully the information you find here will help you make that decision. ---------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------- FAQ #6 Q. How was this breed developed? A. We invite you to read Linda Spurlin's message. She and her family developed the breed and she has her story posted for your convenience.When Eileen Gregory became aware of this breed, Linda had already dedicated about fifteen years of her life to it. We are all very proud of what she accomplished. No one could never have done what she did,but we are also proud of the fact that Eileen Gregory helped by maintaining the Book of Records on the Breed and that she has been very instrumental in getting the breed recognized by the American Rare Breed Association, the Federation of International Canines and the United Kennel Club. This work took up most of Eileen Gregory's time since1987. Linda's message can be read here ---- http://www.akkaoa.org/a-note- from-linda-spurlin ---------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------- FAQ #7 Q. Will an Alaskan Klee Kai get along with another dog or a cat? A. Usually when that question is asked it is because you already have adog or cat in residence. Generally speaking, with most breeds, a puppywill not object to another occupant. Now if you were considering getting an older AKK which is looking for a home, that would be adifferent situation and would depend upon the individual dog and how ithad been trained with the previous owners. ---------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------- FAQ #8 Q. How will an Alaskan Klee Kai do with my children? A. That depends a lot on the children. If your children are hyper the AKK is apt to be hyper too. If your children are of a calm nature, you rAKK will probably be the same. If the children torment and mistreat your AKK, it will learn to torment and mistreat the children.  Socialization during the puppy's first 16 weeks is very critical (especially from week 8 through 16).  Dogs are not born trained,and it is your responsibility to be consistent in your instruction and make them into good companions, as well as teaching your children and all the visiting children the proper way to treat and respect an animal. ---------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------- FAQ #9 Q. What is the personality of the Alaskan Klee Kai? A. We believe that every dog is an individual, just as every person is an individual. The one thing that runs in the breed is a strong tendency to be very cautious with strangers. It is critical that you take your dog everywhere you are allowed to, and expose it to all kinds of circumstances so that it will become a well rounded personality.Obedience classes are also a wonderful idea. Your AKK will benefit greatly if you take it to public Obedience Classes so that it can see that other dogs are doing this , and it can meet other owners.SOCIALIZE, SOCIALIZE, SOCIALIZE -- and then you will be on the road to having a dog that is only careful about strangers and not overly cautious or fearful. ---------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------- FAQ #10 Q. Do these dogs shed? A. Yes - they are of the Nordic Breeds. Of course, humans shed too -- just check your hairbrush. If you have an AKK for a house dog, you will be petting it, and you can be getting rid of the hair shed during this process of loving. These guys are small, so you can sort of control where the hair goes. About twice a year, and after weaning puppies, they are going to blow their coat -- and during that time you want to comb and brush daily. During the rest of the year once a week will probably be ample. ---------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------- FAQ #11 Q. How much do you charge for your pups? A. Costs/Prices: All dogs are individuals and deserve to be treated as such. We do not enjoy talking specific prices or costs until we know that you are really serious about this being YOUR breed.  So first things first -- you first must decide if this is the BREED you really want, and not that you are just falling in love with a pretty and unusual animal. This is a long term commitment for you, so move slowly and carefully and make an educated decision.  The first step is to fill out one of our Questionnaires. The second step will be to join our Waiting List (see FAQ #2). Puppies are mostly priced between $1800 - $2400 for adoption on a Spay/Neuter contract.  Prices are considerably higher for full registration and breeding rights.  Total additional costs (including Vet Health Exam, initial shots, de-worming and microchip) and for shipping the puppy by air (when indicated) are approx. $495 in the USA and a few dollars more for Canada.  Adoption Agreements include an itemized breakdown; however, prices are subject to change according to current Vet. charges, airline charges, etc. Anyone interested in obtaining a show quality puppy with full registration and breeding rights must agree to complete a Breed Quality Health Exam when the puppy is 12 months of age.  We will provide the form for your Veterinarian to fill out.  Should the dog exhibit any serious faults, the new owner agrees to immediately alter the dog. ---------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------- FAQ #12 Q. Where are you located?  Can we come and visit your kennel and the dogs in person? A. We are located near Reno, Nevada. We get more requests for visits to our kennels than you can imagine. Many of the requests are from out-of-town folks who are in Nevada for other reasons and want to visit us while they are here. Others live in Nevada or surrounding states nearby. We do not have visits to our kennels for reasons of family privacy and infection prevention (to our dogs/kennels).  Family Privacy: Home Security experts do not recommend that a person's home address be made available either on the Internet or to strangers.  This is our home, so we consistently have had a no visitation policy to our kennels for many years for the protection and privacy of our family.  Infection Prevention: We did try visitation a number of years ago; however, we had visitors who brought disease in from the outside to our kennels (the Corona virus) which caused significant loss, suffering and expense.  Corona is not very common; however, it caused the death of one of our dogs and made many others quite ill requiring Veterinary assistance.  The Parvo virus alone has been found to have as many as 23 different mutations.  These diseases are transmitted by CONTACT (not airborne) and pose risks to both new litters (which have not had their first shots yet) and to adult dogs as well.  You cannot SEE the actual resistance to a particular disease (or titer levels) in your dogs against a wide variety of pathogens.  Unless a breeder is going to have visitors go through "white suits, gloves, booties, etc" they always take a risk of Parvo, coccidia, corona or another pathogen being introduced from outsiders.  Following the advice of our Veterinarian, we stopped allowing physical visits to our kennel in 2006.  We will not risk the health/welfare of our puppies/dogs to potential disease brought in from the outside.  ---------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------- FAQ #13 Q  Are they a good watchdog? A. Most of them are excellent watch dogs -- meaning that they will alert you when someone comes on your property --- however they are not normally good GUARD dogs where they would attack someone. They should NOT be made into guard dogs -- these are designed to be good companions-- lets leave the guarding to the large breeds. ---------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------- FAQ #14 Q. Do they have specific genetic disorders or diseases that I may have to watch for or get them tested for? A. This is a remarkable breed where health problems are concerned, and we think this has been accomplished through the efforts of Linda Spurlin and the loyal breeders who have followed her for their careful dedication of breeding only the best and neutering the rest. If you complete and return my questionnaire you will find that the last questions is “Do you have any more questions that have not already been answered” and this is where you can ask me about any particular type of health issue that you are concerned with. ---------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------- FAQ #15 Q.What is the most common eye color in the Alaskan Klee Kai? A. The AKKs most common eye color is brown.  Eyes also may be double blue, parti (brown and blue colors mixed), or bi- eyed (one blue and one brown eye.  Eye color is not the most important characteristic that breeders are interested in - it is only one of many.   The most important characteristics are health, temperament and adherence to breed standards.  Please realize - breeders are not breeding just for eye color.  Also please realize that eye color can change up to 3 months of age... so we do not guarantee eye color. ---------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------- FAQ #16 Q. I would like to have a pet only. I have no interest in showing or breeding, thus I want to spay/neuter the dog. Because I would like to spay/neuter the dog, would you like me to still have the Health Exam done? A. All puppies sold by RMKK are sold on a Pet/Companion basis only (unless a special Show/Breeder Contract and terms are entered in to).  This means that puppies are required to be spayed/neutered before UKC registration papers will be released. Also, when you sign the UKC transfer of ownership papers and sign our contract (buyers may not alter our contracts), one of the things you are agreeing to is to have the Health exam completed.This exam is to tell us how the dog developed. We need to know as much as possible about the adult dog, as this provides us better guidance for any future matings. Yes, you do need to have the Health Exam completed and the questions answered by a Veterinarian, and this can be done at the time the dog is taken to the Veterinarian to be spayed or neutered. ---------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------- FAQ #17 Q. At what age are the puppies able to be shipped? A. We do not know of any Airlines that will accept puppies for shipment prior to the age of 8 weeks. We also will not ship a puppy that we feel is not mature enough or stable enough to handle the trauma of a shipment. We will either delay shipment or deny placement of that pup with that person unless they come and pick it up.  Also, some puppies are just too small to be shipped in the cargo hold, and we will (on very rare occasions) require the new owner to come and pick up the puppy in Reno or Sacramento. In addition, the small (TOY) sized AKKs like other small or toy breeds do not store glucose well in their livers; therefore, most Veterinarians that consult with airlines do not recommend that these little ones be shipped until they are 10 to 12 weeks old.  The majority of our pups do very well with Cargo shipment with proper arrangements and care.  We only ship to major airports – no commuter planes for our babies.  Rates to ship outside the United States will, of course, be higher. ---------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------- FAQ #18 Q. How small (weight) are the puppies at eight weeks? A. This varies with the pup and with what size it will be when full grown. They are usually between 3 and 8 pounds, but this can vary. ---------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------- FAQ #19 Q. What airline(s) do you use to ship the puppies? A. Within continental United States we prefer using United Airlines PetSafe shipping program.  We will occasionally also use Alaskan Airlines or Delta Airlines. For shipment out of country, we try to find the most suitable and safe airlines with the best connections. NOTE:  Holiday Shipments - we no longer ship between December 20 and January 5.  Although the airlines still run flights, we have encountered too many cancellations and delays (causing missed connections and other various issues).  We will usually resume shipping on the 6th or 7th of January.  Please check with us when planning for this time of year.. ---------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------- FAQ #20 Q.If you send a dog overseas, and there is an additional expense to the Buyer due to the exchange rate or shipping overseas... how do you compensate for that?  What is the non-US person responsible for? A. We don't compensate for rates of exchange. The adoption price we offer our dogs is stated U.S. funds. If it costs the Buyer more (or less) because of exchange rate, then they should consider this in making their decision.  Also, if a buyer lives in a foreign country, it will be the buyer's responsibility to research all the various laws that apply for shipment from the US to their country.  Canada is fairly straightforward.  Other countries can become quite complicated.  The Buyer should become familiar with their country's import processes on their end including Canadian (or their other country's) import paperwork and any import duties for that particular Canadian (or other country's) Customs office.  It will also be the Buyers responsibility to pay for ALL shipping related expenses (including the services of a shipping agent - if necessary). ---------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------- FAQ #21 Q.I have written to different Breeders about their dogs and some have not answered and some take a long time to answer. I will be pleased if you answer right away as I am excited. It seems to me that a Breeder would be eager to talk to someone who is interested in their breed, why do people take so long to respond? A. The Alaskan Klee Kai is a very rare breed, and to our knowledge there has been no urgent need for any Breeder to try to find someone to adopt their puppies. Our web site generates considerable traffic, and yet it is here just for education -- not to make sales. If someone contacts us through a web site and ends up being the person we want to place one of our little ones with, that is great -- then the Web site has done double duty with education and placement. It takes time and effort to answer the hundreds of questions that arrive each month, and all of the AKK Breeders just don't have that kind of time, or choose not to spend all their time answering questions from people who are just curious. That is the reason Rocky Mountain Klee Kai and most Breeders have resorted to publishing all this information. (We have even written a book on the breed).  Our hope is that after you read everything on the Web that you can find most of your questions will be answered. AFTER you have completed our personal questionnaire and we have determined you could possibly be a good owner for one of our babies, then you are welcome to send your personal questions that have not already been answered. We do request that you do not take up our limited time unless you feel you are really serious about this breed. Obviously, we write in detail, and it does take time to answer everyone's questions, but we willingly do that if you are really interested and serious. If you send us an e-mail and we do not answer within 5 days, please do send it again. We talk to so very many people that sometimes an e-mail unintentionally gets lost in the shuffle. ---------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------- FAQ #22 Q. Huskies are known for being diggers who are capable of digging up gardens. Does the Alaskan Klee Kai maintain that tradition? A. Every Alaskan Klee Kai is an individual. We have some that dig and some that do not. There have had very few complaints from owners who say the AKK destroyed their lawn, but other owners have written in that their AKK loves to dig. We, personally, have never had any of my AKK dig for the purpose of escaping. ---------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------- FAQ #23 Q. Is the AKK suitable for apartment living? A. Yes, provided they also have sufficient time out in the sunlight and and for exercise.  A good rule is to provide about 20 to 40 minutes of exercise for your dogs per day.  Getting them out in the sunlight while they exercise is very beneficial - just as necessary to dogs as to humans. ---------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------- FAQ #24 Q. How trainable are they (relative to a other breeds)? A. Training your AKKA. Any dog is trainable only if their master is smarter than they are. Of course breeds do have different instincts -- example - the retriever wanting to always bring something back to you. The AKK is more apt to run out and pick up what you threw and then tempt you with it while just staying out of your reach, so the retrieving would have to be taught tothem. One problem that has been observed in training the AKK is the problem of keeping eye contact. They are so curious about everything that is going on around them, that they don't feel they need to watch you like is desirable in the show ring. That takes training.     ---------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------- FAQ #25 Q.  What about Health Refunds? A. Our health refund policy is clearly stated on the contract you receive. ---------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------- FAQ #26 Q. What about other Refunds? A.Occasionally a refund may apply if a person pays for a puppy and then prior to delivery changes their mind, or if something else occurs to prevent the adoption of the puppy, or if an overpayment has occurred. These situations rarely occur. If this situation occurs due to a change of mind, choice or decision by the buyer, or failure to perform (pay final payment) by the contract due date... a $500 deposit will be forfeited and there is a $200 processing fee for all the dozens of man- hours, pictures and other services delivered up to the time the refund is requested. Other specific expenses incurred by us may also be deducted from the refund.  Any balance will be refunded within 30 to 90 days. If this situation occurs due to other circumstances (such as over-payment, loss of a puppy, etc.), a full refund may be indicated. A refund wlll be made within 30 to 90 days. ---------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------- FAQ #27 Q. What is the life expectancy of an Alaskan Klee Kai? A. That is a question that we cannot answer with absolute accuracy because the breed is so new. There are a number of AKK owners who are now reporting AKKs that are living well into their teens.  We know that many of the foundation breeds that went into the AKK live to be 15 years old and older. We also breed and show Siberian Huskies and have had dogs live to 15 years and beyond.  Veterinarians say that Dogs this size usually live longer than very tiny dogs and longerthan massive dogs. ---------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------- FAQ #28 Q. I have searched everywhere and I am not able to find much information about these dogs. Why is that? A. Until recently, most of the Breeders felt it was best not to put out too much information for fear the dogs would get too popular before they were really firmly established. This is still a very young breed,and one or two unscrupulous Breeders could do a lot of harm, so most owners/breeders are very particular to follow the guidelines as established by Linda Spurlin and the Association. ---------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------- FAQ #29 Q. Why don't you put your Sale Contracts on your Web site so that theycan be printed off so people won't have to talk to you through e-mails or on the phone. Other people do this. A. It is not our desire to use our Web site as a place to market puppies. Our Web site is designed to offer you information, and to give you a place to find out more information. In fact, when you first writeto us, we do not send you a Sale Contract. The first thing we do is send you are the requirements of owning an AKK. If you don't agree with those policies, then you don't have a need for our contracts. If you do agree to those policies, then you must complete and return our questionnaire so we will know if we want to consider you as an owner of one of our babies or not. After we considered you approvable, upon request we will send you a sample of one of our sales contracts so you can better determine if we are the kind of people that you would want to work with. ---------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------- FAQ #30 Q. Can you tell me if any of the AKK are going to be going to any dog shows in my area? A. We do not have this information. We suggest you check with United Kennel Club at 616-343-9020, ask for Field Operations, and then askthem how you can find out when shows are being held in your area. Itmay be that there would be a schedule listed on their web site at http://www.ukcdogs.com ---------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------- FAQ #31 Q. The breed standard doesn’t say much about temperament --- how wouldyou describe the temperament of the Alaskan Klee Kai? A. Breed Standards don’t usually adequately describe temperament on breeds. We commend you for being concerned about temperament – too many people are just concerned with appearance and prestige. The Alaskan Klee Kai generally is rather cautious with strangers. It is very important that they are socialized heavily as puppies and through adulthood. If you keep the puppy at home, it will be fine with yourfamily, but when someone comes to visit it will be more apt to turnshy. ---------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------- FAQ #32 Q. How does this breed do in cold weather and in hot weather? A. The Alaskan Klee Kai can be an outside dog or an inside dog. We havedoggy doors so they can make their own choices, and mine usually would rather be on my lap than anyplace else. They do well in the cold or in the heat, but they must have shelter from the weather. We prefer our dogs to be house dogs -- they make better companions when they are part of the family than when they are left outside and forgotten about for hours on end. The breed was developed in Alaska, so you know they do well in cold weather. ---------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------- FAQ #33 Q. Do they bite – some small dogs have these traits. A. We have occasionally witnessed a few AKKs that tend to be heel nippers. It is rare but can occur. We tend to see this occasionally in Toy size AKKs.  The Miniatures and Standards sizes do not seem to have as much of that tendency as the Toy size does. Usually the heel nipping is at strangers who have come into your home, bent down over your dog, and the dog had to stand there and be uneasy at having this big stranger patting them on the top of the head (which probably makes them feel smaller yet).  Then when the stranger turns and starts to walk away, the dog hits the heel with its nose or sometimes even with its teeth. If your little one has that tendency, we recommend putting it in his crate in a different room when the stranger first comes into the home -- then they get used to the fact that it is okay for that person to be there, and are better behaved when you let them join the company. ---------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------- FAQ #34 Q. I would like to get an Alaskan Klee Kai, but I am worried about how to introduce it to my present dogs. A. We always recommend that your current dogs meet the new one on neutral territory, like in a school play ground or a park.  Then when you take them home, they already know each other. It is important thatyou don’t let your present dogs come into the house to find the new oneeating out of their dish or sleeping in their bed. ---------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------- FAQ #35 Q. I would like to get an Alaskan Klee Kai, but I will be out of the country (or otherwise not able to pick up the puppy) until he/she is several months old. A.On rare occasions, we will board puppies under contract past 12 weeks of age while the new owner is moving or otherwise getting their home ready to receive their new puppy.  However, there is a $7/day boarding and socialization charge that applies to any situation wherethe buyer cannot receive their puppy prior to 12 weeks of age. . ---------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------- FAQ #36 Q. I think I would give a good home to one of these puppies, they would be loved & taken care of. I buy the best food and treats available and give my animals lots of attention. I don’t have kids, so I have lots of time and love to give. A. And the AKK have lots of love to give in return. These dogs do not automatically demand a lot of attention, all they want is to be made part of your family. They want rules to abide by, so they will not be yelled at for doing what comes naturally. If they understand what the yare allowed to do, they are much more comfortable and at ease, so it is important that they are taken to class to learn right from wrong, andthen you can freely shower them with your attention, without spoilingthem. In other words, they need the love and attention, but also needto obey the rules of the household.